The Bears have had some really good quarterbacks over the years. They’ve also had some great safeties. The problem for them is they haven’t been able to employ both at the same time. Over the past 60 years it’s been mostly a rotation of one or the other. A decent quarterback but terrible safeties or vice versa. For those who think that doesn’t play an important role, how about this stat?
In the two most recent championships the Bears have won in 1985 and 1963, they had a Pro Bowl safety and a Pro Bowl quarterback on the roster at the same time.
- 1963: Bill Wade (QB), Richie Petitbon (S)
- 1985: Jim McMahon (QB), Dave Duerson (S)
This may sound like an overly simplified stat. It’s not though. When turned towards the previous 10 Super Bowl champions, the results are pretty astounding.
- 2015 Broncos: Peyton Manning (QB), T.J. Ward (S)
- 2014 Patriots: Tom Brady (QB), Devin McCourty (S)
- 2013 Seahawks: Russell Wilson (QB), Earl Thomas (S)
- 2012 Ravens: Joe Flacco (QB), Ed Reed (S)
- 2011 Giants: Eli Manning (QB), Antrel Rolle (S)
- 2010 Packers: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Nick Collins (S)
- 2009 Saints: Drew Brees (QB), Darren Sharper (S)
- 2008 Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger (QB), Troy Polamalu (S)
- 2007 Giants: Eli Manning (QB), Gibril Wilson (S)
- 2006 Colts: Peyton Manning (QB), Bob Sanders (S)
#Seahawks failed to intercept a pass after placing FS @Earl_Thomas on IR after Week 13 – a franchise-record 6-game drought #LegionofBoom
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 15, 2017
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Of those 10 teams listed above, only the 2012 Ravens and 2007 Giants failed to fulfill the requirement. Joe Flacco has never made a Pro Bowl in his career, nor has Gibril Wilson. This proves that being able to win a championship without both requirements filled is both rare and difficult. It’s also a lesson the Bears keep failing to learn.
Look back over their history since the start of the Super Bowl era. The lack of investment at the quarterback and safety positions is pretty apparent. Since 1966 they have drafted just four QBs in the first round. Across that same span they’ve taken two safeties. Second round picks? Two quarterbacks and three safeties. So all told in 51 years they’ve spent a total of 11 picks in the top two rounds on those positions. Keep in mind that’s out of 100 picks total.
Ready for the kicker? Just one of those 11 picks were made in the past decade. By comparison the New England Patriots have spent seven picks on those positions just since Bill Belicheck became head coach in 2000. Yet somehow people are wondering why the Bears’ have gone into the tank so rapidly.
Listen the quarterback part of the argument is played out. It’s a problem. This team hasn’t been able to fix it for years and remains a ceaseless high priority. The safety position though? In a city that prides itself on great defense? That oversight is inexcusable. Until this franchise is able to fill those critical slots, odds are they won’t be able to think about the Super Bowl anytime soon.
